DHAKA: A court in Dhaka granted bail to BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia after she surrendered before it in the Niko graft case on Monday following the High Court order.

The court of Dhaka special judge-9 Amirul Islam on Monday passed the order in response to bail petition filed by her lawyers.

Moreover, the court set December 28 as the date for framing charge in the case and asked Khaleda Zia to appear before it on that day.
 
Earlier, the BNP chief surrendered before the trial court around 12:15pm and sought bail in the Niko graft case. 

On June 18, the High Court rejected a petition filed by BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia challenging the legality of Niko graft case, clearing the way for continuing the trial proceedings.

On April 22, the High Court started a hearing on a seven-year-old writ petition challenging the legality of Niko corruption case filed against BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

On Dec 9, 2007, ACC filed the case against five people, including Khaleda, accusing them of causing loss of Tk 137.77 billion to the state exchequer by signing oil-gas exploration agreements with Niko.
 
Later on May 5, 2008, it submitted charges against 11 persons.
 
The High Court on July 9, 2008 stayed proceedings of the graft case and issued a ruling. The stay order was upheld by the Appellate Division.

BDST: 1301 HRS, NOV 29, 2015
RS/SMS